BALTIMORE, MD – Having been almost completely off the grid last week sans internet service or cable television, I still managed – with limited information – to hit 3 out of 4 on my weekly Cheesy Bruin’s Free NFL Picks. The joy of a good week overshadowed the fact that JG Clancy and I were forced to sit through the terrible Dolphins-Patriots game being shown in the Ft. Lauderdale market. But not to worry; the Miller and Dos Equis were flowing and made things a bit more palatable. Anyway, looking to stay hot, so here are this week’s ducats:
FAVORITE: Fresh off their prime time Thursday night victory over the hapless Buffalo Bills, (take that DJ Eberle) the Jets travel to one of the toughest venues in the NFL -Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium – for a 4:25 tilt versus the Chefs… Chiefs. Great googly moogly. Anyway, the Jets will need every bit of the extra rest and preparation coming with playing a Thursday game but that is where their edge ends, as the Chiefs look to wash away the bitter taste of last week’s lackluster performance against the Houston Texans. In what should be a tight contest as the field goal point spread indicates, I see Kansas City coming up with the victory in a one score differential. Kay Cee 23-16 and therefore, Chiefs (-3) over the JETS.
UNDERDOG: This is an entertaining game to handicap. The in-state Pennsylvania rivals meet every four years and this time both are undefeated albeit at 2-0 in this early 2016 season. The Iggles – as Grinding Ax Walter Hynes calls ’em – are riding the wave of rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, while the Steelers boast one of the NFL’s more explosive offenses. But Philly has an edge on defense. In selecting games for MTM, I always try to guess the point spread for each game and this is the one game that I was off on. The Steelers should be a solid six or seven point favorite but they are only 3.5 choices over Philly. Pitt is clearly a better team but the odds-makers are tipping their collective hat that Philadelphia will be a tough out in this one. Gimme the Eagles (+3.5) over the Steelers.
OVER: Can the Los Angeles Rams look any more impotent on offense? After being shut out in Week 1, the Rams somehow managed a victory on three field goals last week. They couldn’t score on a drunk nun but help is on the way in the form of a leaky Tampa Bay defense. The Buccaneers can score provided Jameis Winston isn’t throwing the ball to the wrong jerseys. Something needs to happen on offense for the Lambs sooner or later and I say this is the week. LA/TB OVER 42
UNDER: Rob Ryan still has a job as Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator only because his brother Rex is the head coach. How else can you explain previous disastrous stops in New Orleans and Dallas leading to his current coordinator job? The Bills host the always-offensive Arizona Cardinals but they fly east for a one o’clock game and will be dragging their feet for at least the first half. Tyrod Taylor will also find things slow-going against the Arizona defense. ARIZ/BUFF UNDER 47
That’s it. Please comment below and come back tomorrow for a tearful DJ Eberle, a man whose Bills may be 0-3. And please follow us on Twitter – @CheesyBruin & @MeetTheMatts and like our Facebook page, Meet The Matts.
